Luna On The Run!

Alpha Gorgio’s POINT OF VIEW still

I watch as the Xanna steps out of the Jet.

With her shoulders straight and confident, she looks around as if she expects her subjects to be at her feet. I grin in amusement, this is the signature of a member of the Alpha King’s pack.

She is dressed in jeans and a shirt, her black hair cut as you would expect from a witch. Long, sleek and cut in a point on her forehead. And when she comes down the stairs, she does so with high style, as if she had just arrived in Hollywood.

Well, I like her, despite her sassy nature, she exudes positivity. So she is a white witch, evil is not her nature. This woman must be highly respected in the Alpha King’s house. Her attitude and her arrival in the private jet attest to that.

Behind me, I hear Alvin whistling softly in admiration.

“Man, I’d like to be locked up in one of the upstairs rooms with her for a whole frigging day. There’s so much I could do with those lovely hips and I’m sure those full lips would make me very happy,” he drools.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

I can hardly believe my usually levelheaded Head Warrior is letting himself loose like this. He is definitely a womanizer, but never so openly. The man licks his lips wistfully as he stares at the woman descending the final steps.

“Control yourself. Business before pleasure, Alvin. When your work is done, you can stay in the room all month for all I care.” I can barely contain my laughter, now that my head is clear, I can finally enjoy a good time again. Alvin’s comment probably had everything to do with cheering me up.

With a smile on my face, I walk over to the witch with, my hand outstretched.

“Xanna, welcome to Eclipse Howl. Please make yourself at home.” She takes my hand and I feel a slight shock go through hers. Surprised, she looks up at me, her stern expression turning to concern.

“Alpha, it is good to see you again. Even if the circumstances are not very pleasant. But it fills me with a sense of accomplishment to be able to do something for Ariel and you. The Alpha family has been nothing but good to me.” Her hoarse voice surprised us all, we were expecting a crackling witch’s voice.

I lead her to my Maserati and help her into the car before getting behind the wheel. Alvin and Jace get in the back. It’s only a few minutes’ drive from the airstrip to the packhouse.

“Did you have a nice flight, Xanna? I’m glad you wanted to come right away. We will be forever grateful.”

“It was no trouble, Alpha. Now that I am here, I am sure I did the right thing in coming. I think there is something I can do for you. In another case, I would have worked from my hut in the pack. But here in your pack, I feel Ariel. I have not seen her for a long time.”

I stiffened and turned to her, full of hope. “Can you sense Ariel? Is she close to home? She has fled Midnight Moon and I am counting on her to come to me.” I can’t keep the longing out of my voice.

“Hmmm, no she is not close. But her energy tells me she wanted to be here. Circumstances changed her direction”.

“Circumstances? What circumstances? I can’t imagine her wanting to be anywhere else but here,” Jace blurts out. “Is something wrong with Ariel?” His breathing is ragged now, the idea that something has happened to his Luna doesn’t sit well with him and his wolf. Dexter is ready to search the whole forest if there is a hint that Ariel is somewhere.

“Let’s go inside and sit quietly. When we arrive at the packhouse, you can offer me a cold drink and put a steak on the barbecue.” She tries to sound light-hearted, to ease the tension in the car. But I sense her anxiety; there is more going on here.

I pick up the pace and soon we are in front of the packhouse. We all jump out of the car at the same time and as I pass one of the warriors, I throw him the key.

We hurry into my office and sit down.

Xanna studies the interior and nods admiringly as Alvin pours her a cold lemon juice. She accepts it gratefully and throws him a seductive look. Alvin makes sure to respond appropriately as he sits down next to her, much too close.

“Okay, let’s get down to business. You know you can quote any price for your services, Xanna,” I offer. She almost chokes on her drink and looks at me disapprovingly.

“Never. The welfare of the princesses is my priority. I don’t need to be paid for it,” she replies insultingly. But then she suddenly turns to Alvin. “At least not in money. You can give me your warrior here as compensation. I’ll take him.”

Now we all burst out laughing, and Alvin takes this as a hint to sit even closer to her.

“I’m all yours, Xanna. Take me as long as you like,” he offers theatrically.

“Well, before you get to that, let’s get our business in order, please. Xanna, we want to get rid of the scent of three warriors so that they can enter Midnight Moon unnoticed. Can you do that?”

“Sure. That’s what werewolves usually ask us to do, so I brought some of my potion. Here it is.” She digs into her bag and pulls out a vial.

“A little behind the ears and their scent will disappear. But only for six hours. After that, they can reapply it or just come back.”

“Six hours is more than we need.” Alvin takes the bottle from her and puts it on the table.

Suddenly, I feel a sharp stab in my chest. It surprises me and cuts off my breathing. I grab the back of the seat and struggle for air.

“Gorgio!”

Four hands grab me and perform CPR on me. And then I felt Xanna’s hand on my forehead as she muttered some mantras. When she removes her hand, the air rushes back into my lungs.

“Aaahhh, that was horrible,” I stutter as the blood rushes back into my face.

“Ariel! Alpha, Ariel is in danger. Something has happened to her,” Xanna cries now. Gone is her haute allure, utter panic is etched on her face.

Terrified, I tried the mind link to my mate again, but I couldn’t get through.

“Damn, damn. Why won’t she open her mind link? Doesn’t she want me to know where she is?” Frustrated, I jump to my feet and punch the wall hard.

“It’s not that. She is restricted. And if I saw right, there is a black band around her neck that freezes her abilities. I could get rid of it, but I would have to meet Ariel in person.”…